Joe Sorge's alabaster on acrylic, "Tangled," will be featured at the 9th annual Fall Fine Arts Festival in Southbury on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Joe Sorge's alabaster on acrylic, "Tangled," will be featured at the 9th annual Fall Fine Arts Festival in Southbury on Saturday, Sept. 7.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Southbury Fall Festival features arts, crafts

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Sculptor Joe Sorge finds that working in stone and steel helps him reach a lofty goal -- bringing lasting joy to people.

The New York City artist says he discovered sculpting stone "20 years ago and love it. Last year, I found steel and its beauty. The qualities of each attract me. Stone, with so many colors and translucence, moves my emotions. Steel, and its interaction with light, moves me deeply.

"Both have a strong solidness to them. To make something that brings lasting joy to people is my mission, enhancing life through visual art is my goal."

On Saturday, Sept. 7, Sorge will be among scores of artists and handcrafters from throughout New England on hand for the ninth annual Fall Fine Arts Festival on the Southbury Green.

Georgia Sheron is among the photographers who will be showing her works.

Once primarily a painter, the Waterbury photographer said she found photography more challenging and creative.

" I have been photographing for more than 40 years and still love the medium," she said.

"I am inspired by the work of some master photographers like Sebastiao Selgado. But I am also inspired by what I see around me every day. I am always observing."

For silver crafts artist Donna Tye, her creative career began a few years ago when she was asked to participate in a holiday house tour. The Woodbury artist decided to create a Christmas tree with kitchen-theme ornaments to display in her large country kitchen.

She visited flea markets for vintage silverware, took several metalsmithing classes at Brookfield Craft Center and learned how to bend, form and solder silver to create ornaments and jewelry.

She said her goal is to take "lovely and forgotten items from the past to create nostalgic yet pleasant novelties."

Hosted by the Southbury Women's Club, the festival's proceeds will be donated to local organizations, including those that support the arts, Brenneman said.